Patna, May 3: Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam asserted that Bihar, which has experiencing a robust growth at 11 per cent, has all the potentials to achieve the goal of becoming a developed state given its track record in the past five to six years.

Kalam said if Bihar has to achieve its goal the state needs to undertake some of the important missions on the basis of its core competence particularly in the field of agriculture and related missions, education, development of human resources, healthcare, flood and water management.

Kalam was here to give a lecture on social and economic development of Bihar, organised by Bihar Chamber of Commerce (BCC). “Bihar is entering into a phase of vibrant development politics. I would suggest all the members to be proactive in their thoughts and promote accelerated development to the state.”

Lauding the state government’s efforts to put the state on a growth track, the former president said: “Bihar has been a great success story at an astonishing speed, registering a growth rate of 11 per cent which is amongst the highest in the country. In the past few years, Bihar has established an image of good governance, sound policy making, economic development and an overall environment for nurturing development politics.”

Referring to the census 2011, which says Bihar population comprise over 58 per cent youth below 25 years, Kalam said: “Youths are the greatest resource for a state. Ignited minds of the youth are the most powerful resources on the earth. It will provide a great mission and motivate every youth to contribute towards Bihar’s prosperity. Today, the state stands with the ambition to become developed and it has all the potential to achieve this goal.”

He added that the rural-urban divide should be reduced to a thin line.

Kalam, India’s missile man also suggested few areas of concern where the state needs to put special emphasis for accelerating the socio-economic development before 2020.